News, events, advocacy opportunities, and commentary from the Center for New Liberalism

Last month, Steering Committee Chair Cathy Reisenwitz, Steering Committee Members Tyler Laferriere-Holloway and Matt Hughes, and Phoenix Chapter Lead Sterling Sourk and CNL staff attended the Progressive Policy Institute’s (PPI) New Directions for Democrats retreat in Denver. We were joined by some of the best pragmatic policy advocates from Colorado and across the country, including Gov. Jared Polis, Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Rep. Joe Neguse, Rep. Brittany Pettersen, Rep. George Whitesides, Rep. Adam Smith, Rep. Lou Correa, Rep. Marc Veasey, and more. 

CNL members and CNL Director Colin Mortimer joined Rep. George Whitesides, Rep. Adam Smith, and Mayor Kate Gallego on the abundance panel, emphasizing the importance of breaking down barriers to building housing and energy infrastructure to foster a more prosperous society. Colin Mortimer framed abundance for Democrats: "If we can't make blue states an attractive and affordable place to live, we are going to lose elections as a direct result of that."

A central theme came from our discussions at the retreat: Democrats need to build a coalition that appeals to working families and develop a new policy agenda that meets Americans where they are to win elections. 

We’re grateful to the Progressive Policy Institute for hosting such a thoughtful and energizing retreat, and we’re excited to participate in and bring the New Liberals to future retreats like this one that will help shape a winning, pragmatic agenda for Democrats across the country.

Take a few minutes to check out what our chapters are working on right now, and send a letter to your elected officials!

The Dispatch | It's Time to Pay Kidney Donors
By Jeremiah Johnson, Co-Founder of CNL | April 15 
“The End Kidney Deaths Act would be an enormous step forward, and we should pass it. Too many families have lost too many loved ones to kidney disease, and it doesn’t have to be that way.” 

Orlando Sentinel | A Defense of Birthright Citizenship
By Colin Mortimer, Director of CNL | April 17 
“Birthright citizenship represents the best of America: a clear, principled rule that has served us well for over 150 years. It cannot be easily changed, nor should it be, because it defines who we are: a nation where everyone is given a chance to belong and succeed from the very start." 

Fox News | John Fetterman faces new spotlight on health, family drama, sparking online uproar
Ft.  Bay Area New Liberals | May 2
“‘Whether they're left or right, whether they agree with your preferred policies or not, populism will not get you the best leaders," Bay Area New Liberals wrote.’”

Raleigh News & Observer | NC town commissioner: We need to rethink housing codes to make ownership attainable 
By Matt Hughes, CNL Steering Committee Member | May 5
“As a community, are we willing to accept the restrictive covenants and zoning laws that have squeezed housing availability for generations? Some neighborhoods still have covenants on the books that once barred people of color from home ownership. We must confront the legacy of exclusion and the current policies that perpetuate housing attainment inequity.”

The Dispatch | Weak Men Create Hard Times and Weak Men Love a Strongman
By Jeremiah Johnson, Co-Founder of CNL | May 7
“This is the core of Trumpism. A strongman rose in America and told weak men that they had been cheated. And they believed him.”

The New Liberal Bulletin | It's Time for Alabama Democrats to Get Serious - And Get Real
By Cathy Reisenwitz, CNL Steering Committee Chair | May 14
“Alabama Democratic Party leaders who won’t deliver for all families need to step aside. We need a new generation of leaders who will deliver on promises to rural, working Americans.”

Are We Sleepwalking into a Budget Crisis? Ft. Jessica Riedl and Ben Ritz

The national debt is enormous and still growing. And the Republican Party's proposed 2025 budget would increase it even further. Are we slowly walking into a crisis? Jessica Riedl and Ben Ritz join the podcast to discuss the state of the US government's budget, how bad things could get, and what we need to do to fix it.

The Tragedy of Tariffs

Trump's tariffs are sinking the American economy and have sent markets spiraling downwards. What is Trump's supposed master plan? Why is the right now so obsessed with tariffs now, and what impact is this going to have on regular families and workers? Jeremiah breaks down what's happening and where we go from here.

Decoding Canada's Election ft. J.J. McCullough

What's going on in Canada? J.J. McCullough joins the show to break down why Justin Trudeau suddenly left politics, what kind of legacy he leaves behind, how Mark Carney has turned things around for the Canadian Liberals, and why Trump might single-handedly swing the Canadian elections.

What Should We Do About the Rise of Sports Betting? Ft. Isaac Rose Berman

Sports betting is now legal in most states in America. It's hard to attend a game or watch sports on TV without being inundated with gambling ads. Should we do something about it? Isaac Rose Berman is a fellow studying gambling policy at AIBM and he joins the podcast to talk about the rise of sports betting. How did we get to this point? Has gambling had negative consequences for vulnerable populations? And is there a way to regulate it without draconian bans? 

Making Immigration Popular Ft. Alexander Kustov

Sports betting is now legal in most states in America. It's hard to attend a game or watch sports on TV without being inundated with gambling ads. Should we do something about it? Isaac Rose Berman is a fellow studying gambling policy at AIBM and he joins the podcast to talk about the rise of sports betting. How did we get to this point? Has gambling had negative consequences for vulnerable populations? And is there a way to regulate it without draconian bans? 

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